Posts Tagged ‘tesla’

When new technology comes to the mass market, there’s always skeptics ready to hark on the technology in a moments notice. In this case, a Tesla Model S was photographed in Norway where it was engulfed in flames. This sent the internet ablaze challenging the safety of the electrical systems in Tesla cars. Even Sandvold Roland, Tesla Spokesperson, stated that the fire was a result of the car itself and not the supercharger.

Specifically, the fire was the result of a short that happened in the Tesla’s electrical distribution box. Tesla has assessed the issues and will be updating the vehicles software to provide added security and monitoring of it’s electrical system to detect these types of shorts. So far, the incident is isolated and Tesla has confirmed that it was not connected to the supercharging stations that are used to quick charge the vehicle.

Cars have always been a medium and a hobby that bring can bring a family together. Sharing your interests with your kids, taking them to car shows, and seeing them mesmerized by wheels, bodykits, and big turbos is real proud moment for any petrol head parent. Buying our kids push cars and toy cars is one of the first ways we introduce our kids to the automotive world. Now when they get a little bigger, electric cars are definitely the way to go to let your kid have some fun behind the wheels and to make the neighbor kids jealous.

So what better way to make the other kids green with envy than with Radio Flyer’s newest addition the Tesla Model S! This is a scaled down version of Tesla’s flagship Model S. Same as the big boys car, Radio Flyer’s edition is powered by an electric motor and a litium-ion battery pack. The kids also gets some luxury goods like headlights and a MP3 attachment for some tunes. Unlike most powertoys, Radio Flyer’s Model S has 2 speed settings that allow kids to drive at a learning pace of 3 mph or a top speed of 6 mph.

Starting at $499, it’s not a cheap toy, but who can say no to the kid inside of us…I mean our kids.

Tesla is a company that really defines the EV space in the automotive industry. The company shows that not only can you make a car green by being full electric, you can also have staggering performance from it as well. Thinking about its customer base and applying the adage of less is more, Tesla has decided to expire the their 85kWh battery for the Model S leaving only the choices of the 70, 70D, 90D and the P90D.

The official reason for the expiration was not stated, but one could assume that the value for the range between the 85kWh versus the 90kWh battery makes the latter are more enticing buy. This also translates to less production cost to generate an additional battery option for Tesla and it makes choosing options for the Model S simpler for consumers.

Sticker prices for a base Model S will start at $70,000USD which is packaged with the 70kWh battery and the vehicle gets a rear wheel drive configuration. The top model will start at $88,000USD and will be packaged with the 90kWh battery.

The Tesla movement is truly one that is redefining and will continue to redefine automotive history.

While Chevrolet unveiled the 2017 Bolt EV at CES last week, it wasn’t until today at the Detroit NAIAS that Chevy revealed the juicy details for their affordable electric vehicle. Recapping the Vegas unveil, the Bolt EV is slated for production by the end of the year, and will be a 320km range EV, setting its sights squarely on the unreleased Tesla Model 3. The Bolt is packed with lots of passenger space thanks to using the chassis floor for battery packaging (much like Tesla’s Model S), and electronic gadgets such as a rear view camera mirror which offers unobstructed widescreen view of the rear to enhance driving experience.

What we learned here in Detroit is that Chevy is targeting a $30,000 price target (after Federal rebates in the US), and even more impressive is the drivetrain details. This EV, the size of a Fiesta, is powered by a single motor drive unit good for 200hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, setting the bar very high in this segment. The dash to 60mph clocks in at a very respectable 6.8 seconds. Controlling the power is Chevy’s Electronic Precision Shift system, delivering feel and delivery of power based on drive mode selection and throttle inputs to closely mimic a typical driving experience. Aggressive regenerative braking allows the Bolt to drive using the brakeless 1 pedal method, but for those inexperienced with such a driving style, a less efficient standard drive mode is available.

I can’t think of any car manufacturer that has been able to create such polarizing opinions on our forums as much as Tesla Motors. From users (including myself) analyzing the stock price, to die hard car enthusiasts debunking the cars, to owners praising the Model S, Elon Musk has created a product that has been able to strike up huge volumes of discussions of the future of our automotive landscape.

Regardless of various opinions on the company or the product, if we ignore all the noise associated with the marketing, the promises, and future Tesla Motor products, the Tesla Model S, shown here in P85D trim, is a solid piece of engineering. A bleeding edge product that doesn’t come attached with the typical pitfalls of bleeding edge products, a vehicle that has successfully converted everyday drivers to electric motoring. It is human nature not to embrace change, and Tesla has done an excellent job of creating an electric car that mostly drives and feels like your everyday high performance gas guzzling sedan. This is what separates the Tesla Model S from the EVs that have previously failed to strike a chord with buyers.

While many people were expecting the Model X to makes its debut during this year’s North American International Auto Show, it is nowhere to be found. However, what they did bring to the show is the 691 horsepower Model S P85D that we are looking at in the flesh for the first time. Turns out, since the P85D looks just like the old P85, I have basically seen one before.

One new feature on the Model S is the new Rear Executive Seating option available for $2,000, although technically it’s $5,500 since it requires the $3,500 Premium Interior Package. This option removes the 5th seat and provides two roomier heavily bolstered rear seats essentially converting the Model S into a 2+2. The middle seat is replaced with an armrest and a pair of cupholders. There were rumblings of a longer wheelbase model to be built for the Chinese market, but for now it looks like this new executive seating option will have to do for those that get driven around. We’ve included lots of pictures of the seats in our gallery so check them out later.

Detail wise, the P85D gets its power from a pair of electric motors. There is a 221 horsepower motor up front and a bigger 470 horsepower driving the rear wheels. Together they rocket the Model S from 0-60 in just 3.2 seconds compared to 5.2 seconds on the 85D which uses two identical motors front and back that each deliver 188 horsepower.

While we were hoping to see the new Model X, or even some news on the upcoming Model 3 which is already getting some competition with the announcement of the Chevy Bolt Concept which is promising similar range at a slightly lower price point. Will the Tesla brand be enough to convince buyers to go with the Model 3? Will consumers even want budget EVs with gas prices so low?

After what seemed like weeks on end of jokes about Elon Musk showing us his D, we have all now finally seen the D he had teased earlier. In front of a group of journalists at the Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles, Musk got on stage to announce what the “D” was. No, Tesla did not have any news about a new Model D, but instead the internet rumors were in fact correct about the D standing for “Dual Motors”.

The new all-wheel-drive dual motor powertrain improves 0-60 times to just 3.2 seconds and increases the top speed of the Model S thanks to the addition of a second smaller electric motor up front increasing torque to 690 lb-ft. This allows the P85D to break into the 11s on the quarter mile! All-wheel-drive models can be identified with the new “D” model suffix. You may be asking how adding a second motor will affect the range, and you may be surprised to hear that it actually adds 10 miles of range on the non Performance models due to improved efficiencies. On the P85D, range instead drops by 10 miles.

Also, taking a book out of a Steve Jobs product announcement, Musk had one more thing which he teased as “something else”. Tesla Motors has been working on a suite of autonomous driving technologies that will be included with all new Model S vehicles. A new camera that can read street signs and detect pedestrians along with long range sonar and radar will work in conjunction with the onboard navigation system technically enable the Model S to drive itself, but instead will be used as an advanced safety and collision avoidance system until Tesla is able to integrate other redundant safety systems.